Direct-drive wheelbases are among the most complex pieces of tech you can find in gaming. As you add more sim racing titles to the mix, each with its own setting naming conventions and force feedback behaviour, there are many ways the experience can feel different. On top of that, sim gear manufacturers also have their own software suites and terminology for specific settings, which can create a lot of confusion for the uninitiated.

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In cases like Assetto Corsa Evo, force feedback can feel grainy compared to other sim titles you might be used to, which can make it seem as if something is wrong with the wheelbase itself. This entry is aimed at Simucube and Fanatec Direct Drive wheelbase users, as the issue is often a matter of correctly tuning in-game settings and wheelbase software. Let’s get started!

Solution 1: Internal Friction Damping

Assetto Corsa Evo can feel “sharper” and more granular through the wheel than Assetto Corsa Competizione. Depending on your wheelbase, this can be softened by adding a small amount of friction and inertia through the wheelbase software. Doing this adds a sense of mechanical weight to the steering response and can help filter out the digital “grain” without removing useful detail.

For Simucube users, this means adjusting Friction and Inertia in True Drive. For Fanatec users, the equivalent settings are Natural Friction and Natural Inertia in FanaLab or the Fanatec tuning menu. As a starting point, try setting friction to 5% and inertia to around 3%, then adjust from there if the wheel still feels too grainy or becomes too muted.

Solution 2: Filter Adjustments

Should you find that the first solution does not produce the desired force feedback experience, the next step could be to smooth out the high-frequency FFB peaks that also contribute to the “notchy” static sensation. Compared to the first approach, where the friction and inertia settings add weight to the steering feel, adjusting the Reconstruction Filter or FFB Interpolation setting works by rounding off the high-frequency peaks in the telemetry.

For Simucube users, set the Reconstruction Filter to 2 or 3. For Fanatec users, set FFB Interpolation to 3.

Solution 3: In-Game Minimum Force

The final approach, which will work for a variety of wheelbases, involves going into the Assetto Corsa Evo force feedback settings and adjusting the Minimum Force value to 0%.

This setting is designed to help weaker wheelbases, such as gear-driven or belt-driven models, overcome their centre deadzone, since very small force feedback signals can be difficult for them to reproduce accurately. In other words, this setting boosts those tiny signals.

This is not necessary for direct-drive wheelbases, as the motor is strong and precise enough to reproduce those small force changes on its own. Even at 1%, the setting can introduce an artificial “digital hum” or constant vibration when the car is centred in the steering range, so make sure it is set to 0%.

When to Contact SimRigSupport

Force feedback-related issues can be among the most problematic to resolve, especially with direct drive wheelbases. These are high-precision tools that come with a wide range of tweakable settings, offering plenty of options but also just as many potential issues. The problem can lie somewhere between the game settings, wheelbase firmware, and driver software. In some cases, it can even be caused by a combination of all three.

That’s where SimRigSupport can help. Whether you are using Simucube, Fanatec, or another wheelbase, we can help troubleshoot your setup to get your sim racing experience feeling right again.

Reach out to us if you need help. The fight with your steering wheel should not take place in the pits but out on the track.